Philips Hue Reaches a Milestone with More Than 200 Compatible Third-Party Apps for iOS

The popular Philips Hue connected LED lightbulbs recently reached a milestone this week with more than 200 third-party applications for iOS that are compatible with the smart home accessory. These applications all utilize the Hue bulbs can do so because of the official software development kit and official application programming interfaces released by Philips last year. These apps utilize the Wi-Fi enabled LED bulbs can be powered on and off or have their color changed all remotely via the iPhone or the iPad.

In an effort to acknowledge and celebrate the occasion, Philips put the limelight on three Halloween-themed Hue apps that were available in the App Store which consisted of the following: Hue Halloween, Hue Disco and Hue Remote. To help grow the development community, Philips also recently launched a new site where it offers articles and advice on how to make the most of Hue’s open API.

The general manager of Connected Lighting for the Home at Philips Lighting, Jeroen de Waal, had the following to say regarding the matter:

This milestone in apps confirms that Philips Hue has redefined the purpose of what light can do in people's homes. Looking towards the future where many aspects of a home will be connected with Internet of Things, we are eager to continue leading the way in connected lighting for the home. With this in mind, we welcome further collaborations with developers to deliver the best possible lighting experience.

Other Hue-compatible apps that were deemed to be noteworthy include Syfy Sync, Ambify, Huedini and Espresso for Hue. Those of you who own a Hue and are interested in looking at a comprehensive list of compatible iOS applications can do so at Philips’ developer site. The starter park for the Philips Hue bulb which includes a hub and three bulbs is currently on sale at Amazon for $181.98 while extra bulbs can be purchased for an extra $59.97.

Do any of you have a Philips Hue bulb set? If so, what do you think of how far along the technology has come?

So how long do this bulbs last? That XBMC comment sparked my interest. I'm doing a bit of remodeling and about to put up a 120" projection screen plus new sound system for watching movies etc. Perhaps these bulbs can help my movie watching setup out.

So how long do this bulbs last? That XBMC comment sparked my interest. I'm doing a bit of remodeling and about to put up a 120" projection screen plus new sound system for watching movies etc. Perhaps these bulbs can help my movie watching setup out.

15,000 hours

they would be badass for a home theater. there are profiles out there just for that (you can create, share, and use profiles made by other people)

$181.98 in USA and £179.95 in the UK. But, of course, in the UK you have to pay an extra £1.67 per bulb for adapters as the bulbs are screw fit and sockets in the UK are bayonet fitting so they won't fit in a lot of lights.

Definitely worth the money! The $180 price is for the starter pack or 3 bulbs and the communication hub. After that, each bulb is about $50 for standard or the rope light shape IIRC. I use mine with If This Then That for all kinds of stuff! Lights come on blue when the forecast calls for rain, etc.

I always thought they were a cool idea. Unfortunately in this era of compact led down lights and like 1 or 2 actual lamps, I have no real benefit for the standard hue bulbs in my place. Plus, aside from the fact they now do downlights that cost a packet, they are only mains voltage, not 12V versions unfort.

these are not new, they've been out for a while already. I have it set up in my room, in the mornings, I have the lights come on automatically with set alarms. I can keep my curtains/blinds shut, and they come on in a dim amber color as to not blind me. Sync it with music and it changes colors.

the guy that said he'll just buy a dimmer switch doesn't get it or just being cheap. A dimmer will not get you any of the features of these bulbs except for, well, dimming. Manually might I add.